The use of emotional intelligence capabilities in clinical reasoning and decision-making: A qualitative, exploratory study

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To explore clinical nurses’ experiences of using emotional intelligence capabilities during clinical reasoning and decision-making. Background: There has been little research exploring whether, or how, nurses employ emotional intelligence (EI) in clinical reasoning and decision-making. Design: Qualitative phase of a larger mixed-methods study. Methods: Semistructured qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of registered nurses (n = 12) following EI training and coaching. Constructivist thematic analysis was employed to analyse the narrative transcripts. Results: Three themes emerged: the sensibility to engage EI capabilities in clinical contexts, motivation to actively engage with emotions in clinical decision-making and incorporating emotional and technical perspectives in decision-making. Conclusion: Continuing to separate cognition and emotion in research, theorising and scholarship on clinical reasoning is counterproductive. Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding more about nurses’ use of EI has the potential to improve the calibre of decisions, and the safety and quality of care delivered.